Live from New York, about to watch the other Big Blue!
Two stadiums: We're in the one on the left. The new one opens in 2010. (Photo by M. Bradley)
East Rutherford, N.J. – I’d never say I’m smart or anything. For one thing, you folks know better. For another, I thought there was no way my alma mater would win in Athens last night. (When last my alma mater won in Athens, I was just out of school. And that was a long time ago.)
But I digress. This isn’t about Willie Martinez or Mark Richt. (I suspect we’ll get around to both these next few days.) This is about the Falcons, who are about to play the New York Giants, and the one thing I can say for sure is that they’re almost exactly where I expected them to be on the weekend before Thanksgiving.
I had them 5-4 at this point, and the only part I got wrong was I had the results of the Carolina games flipped. I also had them losing today. But I also had them winning the NFC South, which won’t happen, and finishing 10-6, which is still within reach even if they’re 5-5 when night falls on Manhattan. (Which is across the river, as you might know. And yes, I’m aware I’m not technically “live from New York,” but somehow “live from Jersey” doesn’t resonate.)
Before you ask, I should report that — as of 10:31 a.m. EST — there’s no word on the availability of Michael Turner or Jerious Norwood. Esteemed colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter is endeavoring to find out whether either or both will play, but I can’t see Turner doing much if he does anything. And how long has it been since Norwood did anything, period?
(UPDATE: Both Turner and Norwood are inactive.)
And that’s all I’ve got at the moment. Except for this: When last Kentucky won at Sanford Stadium, Prince Charles and James Brown were in attendance. (The year was 1977.) Kentucky would win 33-0 — the Big Blue finished 10-1 that year but couldn’t go to a bowl owing to, er, probation — and it was essentially a wretched day all around for Vincent J. Dooley. But one memory still makes him smile:
Dooley and Fran Curci, who was Kentucky’s coach and who had no great appreciation for the trappings of royalty, were standing at midfield before the game when the Prince of Wales was escorted up. Dooley said, “Your highness, this is Fran Curci.”
And Curci said, “Hey, Prince.”
I’ll advise if any princes happen by today. If they do, I’ll say hey for you. And I’ll be here to chat about anything — Falcons, Giants, Dogs, Cats, James Brown — until this one ends. Please join me, won’t you?
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1,676 comments Add your comment
oldfart
November 22nd, 2009
12:37 pm
Looks as if the only choice will be to make no pretense to the run and do some pass blocking. I’m worried.
Wildcat with Gonzalez? Have him pass out autographed pics of his wife not wearing her fur for PETA to the defense first. Hey, you have to get innovative when injuries take out your 1st & 2nd rbs.
Opinion
November 22nd, 2009
12:37 pm
Here’s a good link for all the UGA fans out there, this will make you guys feel better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9hoSQKsGvw
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
12:38 pm
PREGAME “CHOKE” EXCUSES:
1. No running game
2. No blocking
3. Receivers not running crisp routes
4. Defense sucks
5. Bad play calling
Hurry – place your bets
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
12:38 pm
You know, it was only this week that somebody clued me in on the definition of an Internet “troll.”
willie martinez
November 22nd, 2009
12:38 pm
Mark, i have this deep, abiding fear that if i’m not a coach next year you won’t blog with me any longer. PLEASE reassure me that you will. i’m so lonely, willie
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
12:39 pm
I’m pretty sure the defensive staff will be shaken up if not gutted, Knowshon in Newark. But not many head coaches fire all their assistants, and I don’t expect Richt to make more than two changes.
willie martinez
November 22nd, 2009
12:40 pm
Mark, the Kentucky win last night was my gift to you.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
12:40 pm
SIGNS THAT YOUR PRO TEAM SUCK:
Talk about the college teams on a Sunday
“DUMP THE CHUMP”
willie martinez
November 22nd, 2009
12:41 pm
Bobo and Fabris?
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
12:41 pm
Re Tony Soprano: There’s a Godfather’s Pizza in Elizabeth, N.J., two miles from the Marriott.
And I thought about making a pilgrimage to Holsten’s, where the final scene of the final “Sopranos” was shot, but it’s a long way to the Northeast. And I don’t have a car. D-Led’s driving.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 22nd, 2009
12:42 pm
When did they clue you in on what it takes to be a “respected” journalist
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
12:42 pm
Coach Martinez: The optimist to outshine all optimists.
Opinion
November 22nd, 2009
12:42 pm
Can we fly Willie Martinez up to be coach for a day up for the Giants, thats probably the only way the falcons win this one
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
12:43 pm
Oh, and CWM, you need not fear: I’ll always be here for you.
willie martinez
November 22nd, 2009
12:43 pm
its eerie the amount of similarities between the current dogs and the last 2 years of the goff era. mediocrity, here we come. (or are)
Opinion
November 22nd, 2009
12:45 pm
Million Dollar Question of the Day:
If you had to pick one, Who would you want to coach your team:
Willy Martinez
Chan Gailey
I would have to pick Chan, because as a UGA fan he ranks right up there in wins for UGA
willie martinez
November 22nd, 2009
12:45 pm
Thanks Mark. i can continue to do my great coaching with a renewed level of optimism, confidence and ability. We’re friends once again, willie
Choke has credentials
November 22nd, 2009
12:45 pm
As a seventh string jv quarterback with over 15 seconds of playing time at the junior varsity level of high school, I think Choke’s credentials more than speak for themselves.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 22nd, 2009
12:47 pm
Let’s go birds let’s go birds.
brewdawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:47 pm
Mark has been a respected journalist here at the AJC for over 20 years now.
oldfart
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 pm
Actually I am more amused by his Vick Supporter moniker, I just think of a real “athletic supporter” and holding up a has beens scrotum appears to be a noble task for such a gentleman. As to the choke moniker, chickens come to mind….
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 pm
Mark,
Now that you actually know what a troll is…
… isn’t about time that the AJC does something with the one man of many names Vick Supporter 2 / Bad News / bigeasy831 / FALCONS SORRY / “Choke”?
Seriously, the dude ruins this blog for everyone else. Why does the AJC continue to allow him to do so?
Doesn’t the rights of the many to enjoy talking about the Falcons supersede the right of one a-hole to act like an a-hole?
Great GT DNA
November 22nd, 2009
12:50 pm
My last post was about UGA, not the Birds–sorry. Here are my thoughts about today’s game.
I wish I thought that the Falcons have a chance, but with all of the miscues from the last 4 weeks (interceptions, injuries, etc…) I don’t hold much hope. I still say MR is injured this year because his passing delivery looks different from last season, and all of the inaccurate throws seem to justify my opinion. I believe he will walk around the sophomore wall he’s been banging on, it’s just a matter of how long will it take. And without MT we don’t have a chance in the running game. That is an ominous sign for a defensive front built to rush and sack the QB. I just hope we don’t get too many people hurt today….it could be very ugly. I want us to win, I just don’t expect it.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 22nd, 2009
12:51 pm
ten minutes to kickoff yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Choke has credentials
November 22nd, 2009
12:54 pm
Choke’s ability on down and out patterns gives him all the credentials he needs to discuss Ryan’s arm strength.
Sure when it came time to perform, Choke fell down and passed out before the receiver even got to his break, but the main point is, he was in the game.
For 15 seconds. JV. Seventh string. Credentials.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
12:54 pm
I have given this matter much thought, BugKiller And I continue to think. (Thinking being hard for me, as you know.) But I will say this:
I believe I have been patient on this issue. But my patience does know some bounds. And I would say that taking a shot at me, as just happened, isn’t a way to make me inclined to even greater patience.
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
12:57 pm
Now we know that you, like us, are a normal human being, and NOT possessing the patience of Mark Richt when it comes to his favorite red headed football players and former college roommates.
That’s something to be hopeful about it. Hope is a good thing.
brewdawg
November 22nd, 2009
1:00 pm
Bugkiller,
I’m also encouraged by marks 12:54. Very encouraged. Would be great to talk about the Falcons again. Speaking of, I think the Falcons show their mettle today and pull out the unexpected- possibly playoff-saving – victory. You with me?
The Dogfighter Returns
November 22nd, 2009
1:01 pm
“Seriously, the dude ruins this blog for everyone else. Why does the AJC continue to allow him to do so?”
—–
Why do you keep reading his posts. Everyone can spot it from a mile away.
Mark Bugkiller is setting you up to censor someone for free speech.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:02 pm
I last came to Giants Stadium in August 2001. (Tech played Syracuse in one of those kickoff games.) I cannot help but note that the skyline of New York, as viewed from the press box, is different than it was in August 2001.
That’s my way of saying the pregame National Anthem always has a special resonance here.
mountain_jim
November 22nd, 2009
1:02 pm
IP Ban for Choke! Blog participation is a privilege, not a right!
BugKiller
November 22nd, 2009
1:03 pm
Win or lose, the Falcons also inspire hope.
Hope that the coaching staff can pull a winning season out of a hat (even if it is 9-7).
Hope that Matt Ryan will get better as his career progresses.
Hope that Dimitroff will pick both Miami Hurricane cornerbacks in the draft.
Hope that BVG won’t leave for a college head coaching job and we can see what he can do with actually good players, as opposed to knowing what he can do with a lot of smoke and mirrors.
Hope that next year, a healthy Harry Douglas IS what this team has been missing all year.
Hope is something we can look for in Atlanta.
The same cannot be said in Athens.
Who would have thought that at ANY time during Mark Richt’s tenure, that the coaching staff in Atlanta would be better than his staff in Athens?
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
1:03 pm
Might as well forfeit with Quin inactive.
Tell Jimmie Hoffa the “Chef” says hi.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:04 pm
Giants get the ball first. Starting at their 22.
It’s a much bigger game for them than for the Falcons.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:04 pm
Went at Grimes on the first play. First down to Steve Smith.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:05 pm
Gonna be tough with the injury to Turner . . . .but heres hoping the O and especially Ryan gets on track today. They are going to need a good/great game from the QB.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:05 pm
Don’t know what happened there. The Falcons just stopped and let Jacobs run down the sideline.
Jamie
November 22nd, 2009
1:05 pm
Oh no!!! We have these clowns on the mike again!
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2009
1:05 pm
How does that happen??? Nothing but white shirts on what seemed to be a great angle . . . .
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
1:05 pm
Smitty gonna eat em up for that sideline blunder.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:07 pm
This is too easy.
Matt Ryan's facial hair
November 22nd, 2009
1:07 pm
I’m ready to come in guys
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:07 pm
Fumble. Falcons ball.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
Sorry. Not the Falcons ball. I believed them when they pointed. But a big loss.
brewdawg
November 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
Mark,
Concerning your 1:02. Always good to be reminded how truly insignificant these games really are. Not that they don’t still tick me off.
Jamie
November 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
good d!
TMoney
November 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
Nice tackle Beirmann.
Mark Bradley
November 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
Third and forever now. Giants fans booed that short pass to Jacobs.
They boo up here.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
Beer man stayed home.
JUST SAYING
November 22nd, 2009
1:09 pm
Why does our secondary suck every season?